Russian troops continue to conduct active offensive operations in the Kupyansk forest, trying to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops and advance towards Kupyansk, but the Defence Forces have managed to quash the Russians' offensive potential, the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyy, said in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine.
"The situation in the Kupyansk sector remains difficult […] Intense hostilities in this area began in October 2023, and since then the fierce struggle has not stopped. The enemy storms settlements, shells them with artillery and uses aviation every day. At the moment, the enemy is storming our positions in the area of Sinkivka to further block Kupyansk," he said.
According to Syrskyy, the commanders and personnel of Ukrainian forces understand the situation, constantly conduct reconnaissance, analyse the enemy's actions and make all necessary decisions.
"Our soldiers are giving an adequate response to the enemy and destroying its plans. There are constant escalations in this area, but our Defence Forces have managed to destroy the enemy's offensive potential and inflict significant losses on them," he said.
Earlier, Western media reported that Russia was preparing for an offensive in the Kharkiv sector, naming 15 January a possible date. At the same time, the British Ministry of Defence noted that the Russians have had "local successes" in some key areas, namely in Donetsk and Kherson regions. Near Kupyansk, the Russian offensive was called "inconclusive".